Cotton-chopper.



E. C. GESCHE.

COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 190By 925,768. Patented June 22, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHBBT l,

@imma/aseo E. G. G'BSCHE. COTTON CHOPPBR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 1908.

` IIIIIIII E. G. GESGHE.

COTTON GHOPPBE. APPLIQATION FILED APR. e. 199s.

Patented June 22, 1909,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E Q Gesch@ i tbo'onus ultimos@ :E i

E. C. GESCHE.

COTTON GHOPPBR. APIPLIOATIO-N FILED APB. 6, 1908. "9257-58. Patented-June 22, 1909.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 N LOOJ (O nveulfon E56. Gesch@ any/V E.` C. GESCHE. GoTToN GHGPPEB. APPLIOATION FILED APB. 6, 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Snowdon E G GreSChe attowwigs Witneosza yUni-'ran s'rATiis .PATENT onirica.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

Ne. 925,768'. speeiaeetien ef Letters Patent. Patented Jane 22', 190e.

Application led April 6, 1908. 'Serial No. 425,494.

is' an enlarged detail sectional view ol" the brake mechanism. taken on the line 5- of Fig. 1. Fig. G is a collective view of the members of the main drive gea-1".'said niem-v bei's being shown in rear elevation. l1` 7, is a transverse section taken on the line 7*? 'of Fig. 1. Fig. S is anenlarged fragmental ldetail view, partly in section, of the disks and theii attendant parts., Fig. .9.is an enlarged .Sectional view of the vertically movable steering seat, showing also the devices for retaining thesame in adjusted position. Fig:

10 is an enlarged fragmental sideeleva-tion of one end of the lower yoke. Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view oi" the bracket with which one of the rear .diagonal braces and the. supporting member oi the bra-ke lmechanism are engaged. Fig. 12 isan enlarged plan viewof the plates to which the disks are attached. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view,- partly in `section of the forwardend Oi' the front brace, showing lthe rollers carried thereby. l

In the accompanying drawings'A designates generally, thedriving mechanism ,',B the chopping and thinning mechanism g'C the f devices for tlirowingthc driving mechanisminto and out of operation; D't-he brake mechanism; E theA vertically movable disksand the devices forl operating 'the same; F the supporting braces or frame work of the nia-2 chine; -G- the mechanism for raising and lowering the drive sha-ft and the rear portionof the frame; and H the steering mechanism. 9 0 Referring more particularly to tlie'drawings, 1 designates the front axle. provided at its opposite ends with the spurred ground wheels 2 adjacent each of which is located a. loose collar 3 having a washer 4 disposed at 95V cach side thereof, the, washers being ,fasts upon the axle. The front portion of each collar is connected by means ofa brace 5 To all-whom it may concern.' i l rBeit known that I, EIGENE C. Gnscnn, a citizen of .the Unit-ed States, residing at Seguin, vin the county ofGuadalupe, State of o .'lexas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Choppers and Ido hereby declare 'the following tofbe a full,

clear, and exact description oi' the invention," such as willenable others s killedin the art to which it appertains to nia-ke and use thesani'e.

The .present in veiition has reference to improvements in cotton choppers, and it aims ygeneially, to provide an exceeding-ly simple and comparatively inexpensive machine-of thatV nature `for effectively thinning 'and chopping a row of cotton plants during its passage across a field, and i'or loosening-*the earth around the plants prior to the thinning and chopping'operations.

The invention resides more especially in the particular driving mechanism ein loved .'for effecting the rota-tion of the fly-w reel .to which the thinning and chopping implements 4are secured; in. the particular devices madeuse of for throwing the driving mechanisni into and out oi' operation; in the provision of a separate brake mechanism for instantly terminating the rotation of..thefly. -wheel when the driving mechanism is thrown l out of operation; and in the particularmenstruction of the brake mechanism.

- The invention further resides in the provision of means for raising and -lowering the 'drive shaft, whichcarries the-fly-wheel and the*l chopping implements, to adjust the position of said implements with reference to the surface of the ground.-

The invention still further resides iii the particular; devices employed i'or ste'eiiiig'tlie machine and for relieving the strain upon the .main axle during the travel of the machine.

Fiiially,'tliel invention resides in the provi- "sion of means't'or raising and. loweringthel disks for loosening the earth plants. I

` The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts oi' 'l`ea.

around the tures,` as the case may be. are designated Vby the saine reference characters throughout the severall views. wherein: l

l'igure ,1 a plan view oi' the complete invent-ion. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line -2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a ation. lig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken'ceiitiallythrough Fig. 1. Figf with lthe pole '6 ofthe machine, `while the rear portion thereof is'conneoted by alre- 100 tractile coil spring 7 with the, oiisetliookcd end S of a rod 9 pivoted at its inner end tothe adjacent arm 10 of a double yoke 11, the free ends of the arms of said yoke terminating in GollarsllQ which .loosely embrace the axle. :lOfl

The tension of the coil springs is regulated by means of turn-buckles 13 connected withthe rods 9 and with the adgaceiit` arms of the `yoke. Upon lthe yoke 11 is mounted a sec-l ond'yoke 14 whose arms 1 5 likewise extend 110 folwardly, said yoke consist-ing of. a pair of spaced members iis-shown in F1g.,4 which are braces by means of retractile coil springs19 each of which has one'endsecured to. a hook l20 carried by the adjacent brace andthe other end thereof secured to thefront end of ,a chain 2l whose rear end 'is fastened to an eye bolt 22 -set into the yoke arm. The two yokes are held against movement longitudi' nally ofthe axle by means of washers 23;

Owing to the yielding connection between-` the yokes, the' axle, and .the braces, and between the latter, thecollars 3, and theyokes,

it will be apparent that during the passage ofthe machine across a lield, thez'strain upon the axle will be relieved toa material extent since the forward pull will loe-offset or neutralized by the several springsl as will'betupn-l derstood.

' thinning implements.

' The driving mechanism .A 1oy-means of i which the rotation ofthe chopping and thinning mechanism B, hereinafter' described,- is

ietl'ected, comprises a main drive' gear' ,24,

mounted upon the.' axle between the arms, 15

of the' upper yoke, and a beveled pinion25 secured to the forward end ofthe drive shaft 26 whose rearend is secured to the hub ofthe fly-wheel 27 which Vcarries the chopping and The gear 2.4 as shown in Fig. 6, comprises anannular outer mem.-

ber 28l which is loosely-mounted upon the axle and has secured'to its rear face the yarms of a spider 29, whose hub portion likewise loose upon the axle, and an inner member 30 vto which is rigidly connected to the axleand normally iits in an annular seat 31 formed in The lll- ApawlsA 32 which engage an annular vseriesof. ratchet teeth 33 withl which the looselymounted outer member is provided, said outer member being yieldingly forcedtoward the stationary inner member b-y means of a l .coil spring 34 which embraces/the axle andis I y32 -withthe ratchet teeth v33, in consequence interposed 'between said outer-gear member and a stationary 'collar 35 carried bythe axle. The provision of the last mentioned coil spring Willtherefore eect the normal disposition ofthe inner gear member in the. seat 31, and the resultant engagement of the pawls .of which, the rotation of the-axle will effect the rotation of the drive shaft 26 and'of the fly-wheel 27 as will be understood..

'The ly-'wheelh-as formed in'its' peripheryv atfdiametrically opposite points va pair of. m-

;Wardly extendir'igrecesses in each o ffwhich is iitted a rod '36 whose inner end extends the rear face of saidlwheel, said openings and recesses communicating with' each other. The outwardly-proj ecting` stem of each .bolt has threaded thereon a tighteninginut V38, owingto theprovi'sion of which it will` be apparent that the rods .S6-may be retainedin adjusted position reference tothe -ywheel w-ithoutne'cessitating the formationof veach rod 36 is iitted in the `sleeve portion cfa hoe 39, .the blade of whichis provided with an inclined cutting edge, as shown 'in Fig, 2. The hoes are retained in lace uponl the vrods olubly mounted upon the. stem 'ofl an eye- .there bei-ng interposed between such portion and thehub of the l.disk a. sleeve-43 yanda washer/i4 which are likewise. fitted upon the latter carries a similar washer 45 land a tightening nut 46, theprovision of said nuts perposition'upon the rods 36, as will be understood. It.v will likewise -be apparent that the `from the adjacent hoe by removing the disk quently lreattaching'said parts to the bolt in altered position-fi. c., with the disk in direct contact with the sleeve 43, or with both washers between'the latter vand the-disk. The drive shaft carries at its rear end, '-a anged semi-circular casing47 which covers -the upperhalf of the ily-wheel, and the rod and chopping implements secured thereto.

otally connected to theaxle, and comprises upper and lower horizontal .members -arranged in v spaced relation-to each other.. Through the space between'saidyoke meinbers'the front end of the drive shaft extends. The lower yoke 11`is likewise pivoted to the axle and itsbight portion has formed therein a horizontal longitudinal slot 48' and .a vertical longitudinal slot 49 which communicate with each other throug'fhout their entire' length. The yoke 4in question l forms the front section 'of the frame of-the machine, and has connected there-With the rear frame section,- which' latter includes a' pairof diverging downwardly-inclined braces 50 each shown in Fig's. 2 and4.- The meeting front endsoi' these braces are secured to a-sleeve 51 ,in which asquare'rod 52: is 'fitted and made fast, the forward portion 'of said' rod vthrough theeye portion `of abolt 37l whi'ch'isy likewise carried by the-fly-whee'l and'is tted in an inwardly-extending opening formedin bolt 42, whose eye-portion embracesthe rod,

'and bothwashers from the bolt, and Subsc-' -As above stated, the upper yoke '14 is piv- 'comprising upper and lower branches, 'as

extending throughv the horizontalfslot 48 vabove referred to, and-.having attachedftqi aseries of openings in anda consequent weakening'of said-roda The outer e'nd-of ,se

vby means of threaded bo ts 40. l Each rod`36 is further prov' ed with a cutting disk41rev bolt 'stem,the projectingouter vend of which mitting the bolts to be retained in adjusted cutting disk may be 'adjusted toward and iis .free end, u per and loWe-r rollers 53 which fit in the verticalslot 49, both rollers being fas# tened to said rod 'end by'a single bolt, as shown inFig. 13.' The rearendsof the braces -50 are secured to vertically-disposed sleeves 54 and 54 in which are fitted rotatable posts 97 and 97 whose bifurcated lower ends carry ground Wheels '55 a-'nd 55', the left hand groundwheel 55 having .al greater diameter 4104 than that of the right handground wheel 55' kand forming one element of the steering mechanism, as hereinafterdescribed.

The mechanism Crlfor raising and lowering the rear end ofthe drive shaft, to adjust the l5 position of the chopping implements with respect to the ground, includes a. fifth-wheel 56 secured to vsaid shaft adjacent the casing 47, the lower member of said fifth wheel carrying a pair of grooved rollers 57, and a pair of cam-shaped tracks 58 rigidly securedto 'a rock shaft *.5'9 disposed transversely of the machine and having its opposite ends fitted in'ope'nings formed in brackets 60 carried by the sleeves 54,- tlie rollers 57- riding upon the e-am tracks, vas shown in Figs. 4 and T. The

shaft 59 is rocked by means ofa lever 61 secured at its lowerend thereto, said lever being'provided lwith a spring pressed dog 62, adapted for engagement with a rack 63 se- 30v cured to a horizontalrod 64 which connects said vslee-ves adjacent the lower ends thereof. It will be a' parent, therefore, that the movet ment of-t e'lever in one direction or'the yother will fimpartja corresponding rocking movement'to the shaft 59, whereupon the `enga-gement.of the cam tracks-carried thereby withther'rollers 57 will' eect a'swinging movement of the Vdrive shaft in a vertical plane, thus adjust-ing the position ofv the ehoppingvimplements with reference to the ground.

The mechanism for throwing the driving mechanism into and' out of operation, comprises a lever 65 which is pivoted adjacent its front end to an upright pin 66 set into the top memberof the upper yoke 14, the extreme front end of said leverhaving secured thereto,

theadjacent endof a' chain 67, whose other end is fas-tened to the outerlend of a-rod 68 lmovable endw-ise across the outer face of the outer arm 15y of said yoke, 'and disposed transversely With-respect thereto, the inner end. of said rod being pivoted to an ear formed upon a collar 69` secured t-'o the drive shaft adjacent the gear25, which latter is held -normally engaged with the gear 24 by ay retractile coil spring 70 which embraces the rod 68 and is secured'at one en dto the collarear above referred to andat the other end to thev lever, as shown in Fig. -1. .The lever lis locked in adjusted' .position by means of i a"sp1ir.1g pressed dog 71 'arrangedfor engagement with a rack 72 which is likewise carried bv the npper member of the voke 14. Thelever extends rearwardlv'tb a. point within easjf .the lever is moved to the right', or in the directionof the arrow shown in Fig. 1, the front end of said lever will therefore move in the oppositedirection, effecting an endwise movement of the rod 68 toward the left and thus disengaging thegear 25 from the gea-r 24, as will beapparent. The disengagement 75 of the gears 24 and 25 from each other will not, however, immediateliv terminate the rotation of the drive shaft, owing to the at' tachment to the latter of the tlv-wheel 27. In order, therefore, to effect the 'requisite 80. cessation of the rotation of the drive shaft, a sepa-rate brake mechanism l) illustrated in Fig. 5, is made usc of. This mechanism as shown in said figure comprises an angular treadle 74,-A whose vertical arm 7 5 is pivotcd S5 intermediate its vends, toa transversely-disposed'bar 76, said bar being provided toward its right hand end with a pair of depending collars 77 which embrace the shaft 26, and

'having its left hand end extending -through 90 the perforated upper member 7S of the double bracket 7S shown in Fig. l1, the portion of said bar which is connectcdwi-th said shaft being bifurcated, the collars above referred to being formed upon the arms of the bifurcation. This bracket formed in two parts or sections which are bolted together,

as shown insai'd figure,.the upper member 7S being included in the'upper part or section; Each end of thetr'eadle arm T5 is connected by a. link -79 with alnakc-shoe S0. the depression of the treadlc effecting the movement of said shoes into engagement with the peripheryv 4of a friction disk S1 sccurcd to the shaft 26 and located' between .the arms formed bythe above mentioned bifurcation. The treadle, however. is' normally held in -raised position'bjr a coil spring S2 connected wi-tht-he bar 76 and with thc treadie arm T5, as shown in Fig. 5.

lOwing to the provision-of the brake mechanism, it Iwill be understood th'at `the rotation of the drive shaft maj. be immediately terminated after' the gcar'25has been -discngage-rl from the gear 24 b v the mechanism (l.

The fifth-wheel 56 with which the drive shaft is' provided has formed upon the ;"orward portionof the lower member thereof' a pair of depending ears between .which is pivoted the upper end of 'a vertical rod 82% whose lower end is provided at opposite sides with sets ofrack teeth S4. This rod forms a support for the earth-looseningmechanism E shownin Fig. 8, such mechanism including apair of concavo-convex disks S5 which art` 12.5 set atan' angle to each other and are carried bvvplates S6, each plate being in turn attached to the lower end of a rod S7, provided at its upper end wlth a toothed washer 8S o arranged for engagement with the adjacent L0 set of rack teeth 84, .formed upon the rod 83,

said--setsj of rack teeth being of sufficientV lengthto .permit the Washers to' be engaged with different portions thereof, and the disks 85 adjusted in consequence toward and from the ground. 'i The Washers 88 are 'retained in adjusted position in engagement With the rack teeth by means of a bolt SSB/Which passes through alining perforations-invsaid throughv the longitudinal slot 90 formed in' -Washer's'and in the adjacent'rod ends, and

the lower'end of the rod 8 3, said slot opening at opposite sides .through the rack teeth.

` The plates 86 which Icarry the disks 85 are formed in the latter each connected with a plate .91 disposed therebetween by means of a pair of horizontally-arranged threaded bolts '92, Whose inner ends extend through threaded openings late While their reduced outer ends 93 t in o enings in the` plates 86, the diameter of the ast-mentioned 'Y openings being somewhat greater than that lower ends-of said rods, said openings like-I Wise having a greater diameter than that of said: collars.

may be regarded as bearings vfor the disks The collars thus form- What and their plates 86, the loose fit of the collars inthe rod openings permitting a slight rocking movement l,or angular adjustment of rods and-hence to the plate 91. This movesaid disks and plates With reference to the ment is eHected by rotating-the bolts .92 in vthe proper direction, each 'bolt being pro-y j vided toward its end 93 with a pair ofsta- 40 tionary nuts 93 arrangedto' contact with the adjacent plate 86, the bolts being'sep'- arately adjusted, as Will be apparent.

Each

ofthe plates 86 is 'provided with an integral forWardly-eXt'ending arm 95 Whose free end is engaged in the bifurcated rear end -of a vbrace 96, the forward end of Which is con- "nected to the adjacent brace 50, the braces,v v.96 converging toward each other at their 1 `rear ends to permit their connection With the arms 95, vasshown in-Fig. 12. l

The left hand sleeve 54 has a greater height than the right hand sleeve, as shown in Fig. 7,- and the projectingl upperportion of I 'the post 97'v fitted in its bore is made square to receive' a similarly-shaped sleeve 98 formed upon the base ortion-of a seat 99,

' the shape of said seat4 eing approXimatelythe .same as that of the seat of a bicycle. The rear face ofsaid post hasformed thereina longitudinal series of notches 10()l whichl Y are engaged interchangeably by the in-bentA lower end of a spring-pressed paWl 101 ivoted to an earform'ed'upon the rear Wa l of the sleeve 98,' saidl pawl end projecting the provision fof the pawl and the formation vof the notches with Whichthe in-bent aWl end engages, permitting the retention o the seat in adjusted position upon the post. The bottom.y of the seat vis connected With the -the 4frontend. of said bottom ortion terminatingv 'in an upstanding han le 104. The upper branch of the left hand bracel 50 eX- tends'through the lower or collar member 105 ofthedouble bracket 7,8'above referred to,`said brace being provided rearwardly of bar 106, Which serves as a foot rest (see` Figs. 1 to 7.). l As originally stated, this gbracketis formedin'two parts or sections, one half of the collar member 105 being formed by one part or section, and the other,rv half bythe other part or section. In positioning this bracket, the bar '76 is rst engaged Withthe upper member 7 8,', which is included inthe upper part or`section of the bracket, and said .part or section then disposed upon the disposed against the under surface of the brace tened together. It is possible, therefore, for the occupant of the lseat to turnthe latter and With itthe post 97 and sleeve 54, by4 swinging' the seat in one direction or the other by means'of the handle'104, and thus to steer the entire machine, the right hand post `97 Wheel, as will be understood, the pressure of the feet of the d-river against one side or the Vv other of the foot-rest serving tov brace vvhim during the steering. v'

In order to' prevent the disengagement ofthe gear 25 from the gear 24 during. the swinging movement of the shaft consequent 'upon the steering of the machine, the teeth of the last mentioned gear are curved, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to ermit their engagement With the lteeth of t e gear 2-5,.until the described.

. During'thetravelof the machine across I a field, it Will be apparent that the rotation said bracket With-'a transverselydisposed sleeve 98 byv means4 ofian inclined brace 103,

lbrace50.' The loWer part or section is thenl directly beneath saidupper part of section after Which the two-parts or sections are fas-v and its 'ground Wheel 55 following the movements of the left hand' sleeve'and its groundv lie drive shaft is shifted by the lever 65 as above of the aXle Will effect the driving ofthe shaft v 26 to which the iiy-Wheel 27 is secured, the hoes carriedby the Wheel thinning the roWs intervals, the number of hoes regulating. the distances apart at which the plants'ar'e to stand, While the .cutting disks 41 trim the plants, as Willvbe understood. The disks' 85.

'around theivines prior to the chopping and trimming operation. Y

Itis to be noted that the' Scrapers are caof plants by chopping the latter at regularpable of' adjustment separatelj'f from Athe choppingj'jand devices, and also'v through a slot 102;-fjormed`int said jrearwall, v ithat-the last-mentioned devicesare adjustserve as Scrapersv forloosening the earth transversely disposedrod secured to said shaft, an angular treadle pivoted at its lower end to said rod, vand a pair of oppositely-disf .posed brake shoes connected with the treadle and arranged for movement into engagement Withsaid. disk When the treadle is depressed. 9.` ln a cotton chopper, the combination,

with a frame, and an axle provided Witha driving gear, ofan axially-disposed shaft having a gear secured to its frontend for en-A gagement with the axle gear'; a member secured to the rear end of said shaft and rotatable therewith; chopping implements carried by said member; a lever pivoted adjacent its front end to the frame and connected at said endwith said shaft, for swingingthe latter Vbodily sidewise, to effect the disengagement of said'gears from each other; and a brake mechanism connected With said shaft for operation subsequent to such disengagement, said mechanism comprising a friction disk secured tosaid shaft, a treadle, and a pair of oppositely-disposed brake-shoes connected Withthe treadle and arranged for movement linto engagement with said disk' when thev treadle is depressed.

10. ln a cotton chopper, the combination, with a frame, and an axle provided with a driving gear, of an axially-disposed shaft having. a gear secured to its front end for engagement with vthe axle gear; -a member secured to the rear end of said shaft and rotata-` ble therewith chopping implements carried by said member; a lever pivoted adjacent its frontend to the frame and connected at said end With said shaft, Afor swinging the latter bodily sidewis'e, to effect the disengagement of said'gears from each other; anda brake mechanism connected with said shaft for operation subsequent to s uch disengagement,

said mechanism comprisinga'friction-disk sei cured' to said shaft, a transversely disposed .rod secured to .said shaft, ana-iigulartrea'dle pivoted at its lower end to said rod,and`a pair -of oppositely-disposed brake-shoes conv nected with the treadle and arranged for movement into engagement With said diskV when the treadleis depressed. Y l1'. In a cotton chopper, lthe combination,- Witha shaft and means for ro tating the saine,

lof a 4member secured to the rear /end of the shaft and rotatable' therewith; Achopping iniplements carried. by saidy member ,"and-mean's for raising orleWeri-ng'the rear 4end of's'aid shaft, vto adjust the posit-ion ofV said implements Withrespe'ct to the'yg'ro'und, said. means including a plate 'connected With theshaft, a roller carriedby said plate, a-caiii-*shape'd track upon Winch-the, roller is arranged to ride, devices for supporting said tracks and.

deviceslfor roc-king saidtr'ck.

l of 'a member lsecured to' the reareiid of the' 6,5

l .12. Ina cotton chopper, the combination, With'a shaft and-means ,for rotating the sai ne,

Ishaft and rotatable'tlrerewith chopping; imf

plenients carried by said member; and means for raisiiio' or lowering the rear end of said shaft, to adjust the position of said implel ments with respect to the ground, said means including a fifth Wheel secured to the shaft,l a

pair ofrollers carrie-d by the lower member of.

saidv Wheel, ,a transverse Vshaft disposed directly beneathsai'd rollers, means'for sup.-

porting said transverse shaft, a pair of canishaped tracks secured to said. transverse shaft and engaged by said rollers, and a lever secured atl one end to said transverse shaft. 13. In. a cotton chopper, the combination,

With a shaft, and means for rotating the same, of a member secured; to the -rear end of the shaft ;'a plurality of rods carried by said member; a transversely-disposed 'eye-bolt ad'justably carried by each rod; a cutting vso disk attached'to the stein ofeach bolt; and

15. In a cotton chopper, the combination,

with a shaft, and .means for rotating the same, cfa fly-Wheel secured' o the rear-'end of the shaft; a plurality of radially-disposed rods carried by said Wheel; a hoe secured to the outer end of each rod ;ai=id a cutting disk carried by each rod and arranged atright angles to the hoe thereon,said.disks being adjustable-toward and from said rods.

16,. ln a cotton chopper, the combination, With a shaft, and means for rotating the same, of a flywheel sccuredto the rear eind ofrthe shaft and providcdwith a plurality of inwardly extending peripheral recesses a rod having its'inner end adjustably fitted iii each recess; a hoe secured to the outer end of each rod; a transverscly-disposed eye-bolt ico vll() adjustably carried by each rod; a cutting disk attached to the stem of each bolt; 'and means for tightening said bolts, to retain said disks in adjusted position upon said rods.

17. In a cotton chopper, tlievconibination,

with ashaft, and means engaged with thcv front end of the shaft-'foi' driving the same,

shaft; .la plurality of radinlly-'disposcd' rods .carried by vSaid wheel; a hoe and a cutting 'of -a iiy-wheelsecured to the rear end, of the disk'carried by each rod; means for swinging the front end of said shaft bodily to one side, to effect its disengagement from said driving means; and 4a' brake mechanism connected Withsaid shaft for operation subsequent to 'such disengagement.

"18.5111 a cotton chopper, the combination,

' vwitha shaft,and means engaged withthe front end ofthe shaft for driving the same,

citar-flywheel securedto the rcaiend of the shaft; chopping implements carried by said Wheel; means for Swingin 'the front Vend of said shaft bodily to one si e, lto eect its dis- 4 ment.

CII

19. -In a cotton chopper, the combination, With 'a shaft, and means engaged With the front end of the shaft for driving the same, of a fly-Wheel secured to the rear end of the shaft; chopping implements carried by said Wheel; -1neans for raising and lowering the rear end of said shaft, to adjust the position of said implements with respect to the ground;

means for swinging the front end of said' .shaft bodily to one side, to effect its disengagement from said driving means; and. a brake mechanism connected with said Ashaft for operation subsequent to such disengagement.

20. In a cotton chopping machine, the

combination, with a'irame, comprising a relatively stationary front section anda swinging rear section connected therewith, of an axially-disposed shaft carried by said frame a member secured t'o the rear end otthe shaft; a plurality of chopping implements -carried by said member, means for driving said shaft; a pair et connected vertical sleeves carried by the-rear frame section; a post fitted in each sleeve; a ground Wheel carried by each post; and means for turning one of said posts, to -steer themachine.

21. In, a cotton chopping machine, the combination, with a frame comprising a relatively stationary front section and a swinging rear lsection connected therewith,l of an axially-disposed shaft carried by said frame a member secured to' the rear end of they shaft; a plurality of. chopping' implements carried by said member; means for driving said shaft; a pair ot' connected vertical sleeves car-ried by the rear frame section; a post fitted in each sleeve; aground whce carried by each post; a seat iitted upon the upper end otfone of said posts and engaged therewith; and means for turning said seat, to Steer the machine.

22.111 a cotton chopping machine, the combination, with a trame comprising a relatively stationary front sectionand a. swinging `rear section connected therewith, 0l an axially-disposed 'shaft carried by said -traine;

a member secured'to the rear end oi' the sha'l't; a plurality ol` chopping implements carried by said 'memher; means for driving said shaft; Aa sleeves carried `y the rear vl'ra-me section; a ost iitted iii-each sleeve, one ol said posts icing provided at its upper end with a vertical series ot notches; a sea-t provided with.

Y a depending sleeve fitted upon the notched end of said post means carried by the lastmentioned sleevie for engagement with said air of connected vertical notches; a ground wheel carried by each lpost; and means t' r ti ning said seat.

23. ln a cottoi. che` wing machine, the combination with i.

and a swinging1 rear section connected. with said iront section; an axially-disposed shaft carried by said frame sections; means carj ax -,-of a frame com@ prismg altrontsection c...rr1ed by theaxle,

ried bv the axle and engaged with the shaft.,

i'ordriving the latter; a membersecured `to the'rear end the axle,la plurality of cutting implements carried by said member ;'means for raising the rear end ot' the shaft to adjust theosit-ion'ot' saidimplements with respect to teground; means for swinging the front endot' said slia'l'tbodily to one side, to ctl`ect its disengagement from said 'driving means; and means -carried by the rear sectionof the frame, for steering the machine.

241,'ln a cotton chopping machine,` the combination with an axle,- of a l'rame comprising a front section carried by the axle and a swinging rear section connected with said front section; an axially-disposed shaft carried by said frame sections; means carT ried by the axle and engaged with the shaft, for driving the latter; a member secured to the reai end ot the axle; a plurality of cutting implements cariied by said-member; -mcans l'or raising the rear end otthe shaft to adjust the position of said implements with respect to the ground; means lor swinging the iront end oi' said shaft bodily to one side, to eii'ect its disengagement from said driving means; a brake mechanism connected with said shaft ment; and means cairied'by .the rear section ot' the frame, foi" steering the machine.'

25. In a cotton chopper, in combination, an axle; a l'ront trame section pivoted there.- tov and provided with horizont-al and vertical slots extending'transversely of the section and communicating with each other; a rear frame section'including a rod having its foiivard end extending through the horizontal slot and provided with up )er and lovvei rollers arranged to travelin tlie vertical slot; an axially disposed shaft carried by 'sa-id frame sections; means i'or rotating the shalt; and a member secured to the rear end oi' the shaft and provided with a plurality ol' cutting implements. .b

26.l ln arcotton chopper, in combination, an axle; a l'ront frame section pivoted -thereto and provided with horizontal aml vertical slots extendingtransversely o1' the section and coii'imunicating with cach other; a rear frame section including a i'od having its for Ward end extending'through the horizontal slot and provided with means l'or projecting into the vertical slot an axially-disposed shaft carried by said frame sections; means for rotating the shaft and a member secured to the rear end ol' the shaft and provided with -a plurality of cutting implements.

27. In a eottonohoppng machine, in'conin binsttion,A an axle; u per and v lo'Wer rear- Wardly-extendlng horizontalyokes pivoted thereto, the upper yoke consisting in partoff spaced upper and lower members, the lowei` yekefornn'ng the iront section of the machine frame and being provided with communicating horizontal and vertical slots extending transversely of the section; a, rear frame seetion` including ai rod lhaving 'its forward end' extending through the horizontal slotb vand provided v'with u per and lower rollers arranged to trave in the vertical slot; an

ani'ally-disposed shaft having its iront end.'vv

extending through the spxaee between-the' v15 n testimony whereof, I aiiix my signa- 20 ture, in presence of two Witnesses.

EUGENE C. GESCHE. Witnesses B. E. CooKsEY, H C.l\loCAnTENEY. 

